“80 Anniversary of the End of the Nazi German Occupation of Hellas (October 1944) and its Legacy” Webinar Panel Discussion

Join us for EMBCA’s “80 Anniversary of the End of the Nazi German Occupation of Hellas (October 1944) and its Legacy” Webinar Panel Discussion on Sunday, October 13, 2024 at 2 P.M. EST/ 9 P.M. Athens EEST. The panel discussion will be introduced and moderated by Lou Katsos EMBCA’s President. Our distinguished panel will include Author/Poet Nicholas Alexiou, Professor of Sociology and Director of the Hellenic American Project at Queens College; John Pavlopoulos, Sea Guardian President and Vice Admiral (ret.) H.N. Honorary Commander in Chief of the Hellenic Fleet/ Former Military Representative of Greece to the NATO and EU; Entrepreneur/ Writer / independent Political Activist Yiannis Mavros; Attorney / Accredited Mediator Christina Stamouli; and Educator/ Community Leader, Peter Stavrianidis, PHD.

The Nazi German occupation of Greece during World War II, from April 1941 to October 1944, was a period marked by severe hardship, resistance, and profound legacy. The occupation began with a rapid military campaign that overwhelmed Hellenic and Allied forces, resulting in the division of Greece into three zones controlled by Germany, Italy, and Bulgaria. The German-occupied zone included key areas such as Athens, Thessaloniki, and Crete.

The occupation led to widespread suffering for the Greek population. The Nazis implemented harsh policies that caused economic collapse and a severe famine during the winter of 1941-42, resulting in the deaths of over 300,000 Hellenes. The occupying forces also engaged in systematic plunder of Hellenic resources, exacerbating the economic devastation. During the Nazi occupation the Hellenic Jewish population faced devastating persecution. The Nazis deported over 60,000 Hellenic Jews, primarily from Thessaloniki, to concentration camps such as Auschwitz. This operation, beginning in 1943, led to the near-total annihilation of the Greek Jewish community, with approximately 83% of Hellenic Jews perishing in the Holocaust. Few survived due to hiding or resistance efforts.

As in days of old resistance against the occupiers began almost immediately, with various groups forming to oppose the Axis powers. The most prominent resistance organizations were the National Liberation Front (EAM) and its military wing, the Hellenic People's Liberation Army (ELAS), which were primarily controlled by the Communist Party of Hellas. These groups conducted guerrilla warfare, sabotage, and facilitated Allied operations in the region. The resistance movement was a critical factor in undermining German control and maintaining Hellenic morale.

The German occupation was characterized by brutal reprisals against resistance activities. Entire villages were destroyed, and their inhabitants massacred in retaliation for guerrilla attacks. One of the most notorious incidents was the massacre at the village of Distomo, where 214 civilians were killed in June 1944. These atrocities left deep scars on the Greek collective memory. Also some Hellenes collaborated with the occupiers, causing further destruction, for various reasons, including political, economic, or survival motives. These collaborators included officials, businessmen, and members of security battalions who helped enforce German policies and maintain order. They often betrayed resistance fighters and fellow citizens, facilitating arrests, deportations, and executions. This collaboration was driven by opportunism, ideological alignment with fascism, or coercion. The actions of these collaborators exacerbated the suffering of the Hellenic population and contributed to the occupation's brutality, leaving a complex and controversial legacy.

The legacy of the Nazi occupation of Greece is multifaceted. Firstly, it left an enduring impact on the Greek economy and infrastructure, which took years to recover. The destruction of towns, villages, and transportation networks disrupted economic activity and delayed post-war recovery. Moreover, the famine and atrocities inflicted long-lasting psychological trauma on the Greek population as did extermination of Hellenic Jews that not only decimated an ancient and vibrant community but also left an enduring scar on Hellenic society, marking a dark tragic chapter in the nation’s history.

Politically, the occupation and subsequent liberation led to significant internal strife. The power vacuum left by the departing Germans and the competing visions for Greece's future among different resistance factions led to the Greek Civil War (1946-1949). This conflict between the Communist-led forces and the government troops, backed by the British and later the Americans, was a direct outgrowth of the divisions and power struggles that had developed during the occupation.

Culturally, the occupation and the resistance became central themes in Hellenic literature, film, and collective memory. Works such as "The Guns of Navarone" and "Zorba the Greek" reflect the period's hardships and heroism. Memorials and commemorations across Hellas serve as reminders of the occupation's impact and the sacrifices made by those who resisted.

In international relations, the occupation period highlighted Greece's strategic importance in the Eastern Mediterranean, influencing its post-war alliances and its role in the Cold War. Hellas’s experience during the occupation also fostered a strong sense of national identity and resistance against foreign domination.